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Pandas are beloved around the world, and now they are coming to the big screen in the IMAX® original film “Pandas,” a breathtaking documentary adventure and amazing experience for the whole family narrated by Kristen Bell (“Frozen,” TV’s “The Good Place”).

At Chengdu Panda Base in China, scientists are taking the captive breeding program to the next level and preparing captive-born cubs for the wild. This film follows one such researcher, whose passion leads her to initiate a new technique inspired by a black bear rehabilitator in rural New Hampshire. What starts as a cross-cultural collaboration becomes a life-changing journey for one special panda named Qian Qian. The film, captured with IMAX® cameras, follows Qian Qian on an exciting new adventure into the mountains of Sichuan as she experiences nature for the first time and discovers her wild side. The film is rated G.

Qian Qian, a Giant Panda raised in captivity, eats bamboo, which represents nearly 99% of a panda’s diet, at her home in the Liziping Nature Reserve as seen in the new IMAX® film, Pandas, an IMAX Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures release.Photo by Drew Fellman

Leave a comment here AND email me at atlantamom930 (at) gmail.com to be entered in the contest and your code for four passes will be emailed so you can see the movie before it is out of the theaters.

mifold, inventor of the ultra-compact car seat category, today officially introduced its latest product, and second crowdfunding campaign, ‘hifold by mifold™’. The highback Grab-and-Go Booster™ brings unparalleled compact portability to the car seat category for parents and caregivers who prefer a high back booster seat. The official Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign will launch during the summer.

Starting today, interested customers can register on https://gethifold.com/ for updates and the chance to be the first to place pre-orders with the best early-bird discounts of up to 50 percent off the recommended retail price.

hifold is the first-ever highback booster seat that is compact enough to pack in a backpack, duffle bag or suitcase, relieving parents of headaches and concerns during travel and on-the-go situations.

hifold was created by parents for parents to make their busy schedules easier to manage. hifold ensures a child’s safety and comfort are priority, whether carpooling, traveling or during everyday situations. “We are living through a transportation revolution with a shift from car ownership to car usage,” said Jon Sumroy, mifold CEO and inventor. “More and more people are ride-hailing and ride-sharing. When you need to take your car seats to and from the car, they have to be lightweight, compact and portable.”

Sumroy continued, “Many people asked us to bring the benefits of compact portability to highback booster seats. After more than two years of intensive development, we created hifold. Children still travel without a child restraint in at least 25 percent of car journeys. Our vision is to have a child restraint for every child, in every car, on every journey, every time. hifold folds up to be so compact, portable and convenient that parents no longer need to cut corners and take risks with their child’s safety.”

Highlights of hifold include:

Ultra-Compact: Lightweight, foldable and portable; 3x smaller than a regular highback booster when folded and easy to carry around.

Safety First: Designed, engineered and tested to meet or exceed the regulatory requirements of every country on earth. Eight ultra-compact impact protection zones, with four layers for protection, safety and comfort.

Adjustable: The most adjustable high back booster seat – the height, lap and shoulder width, and head rest can easily be adjusted to grow as the child grows.

Proven Success: hifoldis the product of mifold, a trustworthy company with a record of success.

mifold is known for its flagship product, the original mifold Grab-and-Go booster seat, which created the ultra-compact car seat category. Three years ago, mifold became the most successful crowdfunding campaign ever for a juvenile product: raising nearly three million dollars and delivering seats to customers in more than 150 countries. Since then, mifold has sold more than half a million seats around the world.

mifold created the ultra-compact car seat category with the 2016 launch of the mifold Grab-and-Go booster seat. Today the range of mifold seats is helping deliver the vision of a child restraint: for every child, in every car on every journey, every time. As the leader in advanced, compact, portable and safe car seats mifold allows children to be safe no matter whose car they are in. Created by Jon Sumroy, a father of four, the original mifold seat and the new hifold highback seat are great child passenger safety options for families traveling, ridesharing, carpooling and more. Learn more atwww.mifold.com

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Eirene Heidelberger is a certified parent coach and the President & CEO of GIT Mom, a full service parent coaching firm dedicated to helping Moms “Get It Together!”. GIT Mom is the only parenting company in the country that puts moms needs center stage – as happy momma means happy kiddos! Here are Eirene’s 4 top tips to help you keep your cool going back to school:

Prioritize Sleep

Start moving your kids bedtimes back 15 minutes every 3 days to get to the bedtime that allows them at least 10 hours of sleep a night. Then rouse your child at least 15 minutes before you need him to function, and give him his own “Me Time.” This is the most important part of school mornings because the more awake he is the more cooperative he will be.

Communication Is Key

Start casually talking about going back to school and what you expect from your kids to get them mentally prepared. All of us parents are psyched it’s here, but, for our kids it can be gloom and doom so talk about the positives, like seeing friends every day and new fall activities. Talk about what happens at school, many schools offer a meet the teacher day before school begins so go with your child so she can see her classroom, maybe even decorate her locker and help her take ownership over her first day of school jitters.

The Clock Waits For No One! Create A Strong Morning Routine

Determine with your children what is a doable morning schedule to accomplish in order to successfully leave for school on time. First, start with the time you absolutely must exit your house, then add 5 minutes on to it because nobody can achieve their goal every day. Then start counting backwards with everything the family needs to accomplish. A sample schedule is:

8:00 exit

7:45 Brush teeth

7:30 clear breakfast table

7:00 breakfast

6:45 get dressed

6:30 wake kids

Be honest and realistic on your timing because running late is the gateway to yelling at your children.

Plan After-School Activities Carefully

Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses and enroll in every after school activity, pick one day to just be home as a family and don’t get Mommed out.

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The first and only sports bar made specifically for kids, called HEROFUEL, was introduced today nationwide. My kiddos sampled them and gave them a thumbs up while playing basketball outside earlier today!

Specifically designed to meet the unique nutritional needs of kids who play sports, HEROFUEL kids sports bars are made with the Young Athlete Formula: simple ingredients that parents recognize and trust; 10g of protein to fuel growing muscles; and two delicious flavors that picky eaters love. HEROFUEL kids sports bars have 7-8g of fiber; 6-8g of natural sugar; and healthy fats derived from coconut and/or almonds.

“We want to inspire kids to dream big and fuel them every step of the way,” said HEROFUEL co-founder Reid Pearson. “With more than 45 million kids playing youth sports in the US, this is a huge opportunity to finally bring a nutritious option to parents, coaches, and concession stands nationwide.”

“Playing youth sports and practicing good nutritional habits should go hand-in-hand,” said HEROFUEL co-founder Kassidy Pearson. “HEROFUEL gives parents a healthy option they can feel good about giving their kids after school, on the way to practice, or before the big game. HEROFUEL sports bars are good for kids regardless of what sport, activity, or level they are competing at. As Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman said, ‘If you have a body, you are an athlete’.”

“It’s refreshing to see a bar made specifically for active kids,” said Kyla Channell, HEROFUEL Nutritional Advisor and Founder of Nutritional Revolution. “Until now, parents have had to choose between adult bars which often have too much protein and/or sugar, and typical ‘kids’ bars with little nutritional value. With straightforward ingredients and adequate protein for growing kids, HEROFUEL should be every parent’s choice to fuel their athlete on the go.”

HEROFUEL was founded by Reid and Kassidy Pearson, a husband and wife team who were avid young athletes and now triathletes. Understanding the importance of nutrition on performance, the Pearsons were surprised at the lack of nutritious, convenient snack options for kids playing youth sports.

HEROFUEL kids sports bars are available at www.shopherofuel.com, or on Amazon. 12-packs are available in two delicious flavors — Chocolate Chip Brownie and Cookies N’ Cream — for $29.99 with free shipping.

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Around 4 million babies are born in the United States each year—that’s 4 million new mothers who celebrated Mother’s Day this year. As we all know, motherhood comes with its challenges—changing diapers, buying safe car seats, the right crib, the list goes on. When unforeseen circumstances, like the ones new mom Teigan Galloway faced, add to those challenges, new mothers can feel helpless.

At just over one month old, Teigan’s daughter Phoebe Galloway was diagnosed with Aniridia, the absence of the colored part of the eye (the iris). This rare genetic condition results in low vision, light sensitivity and cataracts. As a new mom, Teigan Galloway was overwhelmed by Phoebe’s diagnosis, scared to even imagine her daughter’s future and unsure of where to turn.

“At first my husband and I felt very alone, we didn’t know what to do, how to react, or where to go” said Teigan.

For Teigan, The Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI) provided her the resources and encouragement that she needed as a new mom. With CVI’s therapy and mentoring, baby Phoebe has learned to crawl and play with toys. Now 1 year old, Phoebe has developed a love for music in CVI’s BEGIN program —Teigan is even learning to play guitar for her. Most importantly, Teigan learned strategies to engage with her daughter despite her low vision. She can now envision a life for her Phoebe outside of a hospital room.

“When we started doing therapy at CVI, that’s when I began having hope for Phoebe’s future,” said Teigan. “One of the best things about CVI and the BEGIN program is the encouragement and the hope that they bring to Phoebe’s treatment.”

This Mother’s Day, hold your little ones tight and know that if it’s your first Mother’s Day and you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, there are millions of other moms feeling the same way. If you or someone you know could benefit from the vision services offered at CVI, visit http://www.cviga.org/ to learn more.

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My Mum is quite petite, gentle, and very Scottish. No drill sergeant or business card that read Household CEO, she was way more than just a mother. She was my first leader. I realize from my earliest days until today, almost every leadership lesson I needed to learn she taught me.

SERVANT LEADERSHIP

Books have been written about Servant Leadership and big ticket speeches given but from my earliest memories I saw my Mother live the very tenants of Servant Leadership. Mum built a home of warmth and love where I felt secure enough to risk striking out on my own but knew that I had a soft place to which I could always return. I knew that no matter what, I could always depend on her. She modeled what it meant to be a great mother, wife, daughter, and sister.

Teams need to feel connected and team members empowered to take risk but know that you have their back if it doesn’t always go according to plan. Team members also need to know what behaviors are acceptable and what good looks like.

HUMILITY

Maybe this was one of the tougher lessons for me to learn. My parents were visiting our home in Kansas when a massive storm blew through. I arrived home to find our back yard flooded and totally upended. My Dad, Hus

band and Mother were beavering away trying to fix the damage. I’m not sure exactly what I did when I showed up but my Mum threw her hands in the air and yelled, “Stop. Good news. Management’s here!”

Being the boss doesn’t mean you have to have all the answers or always be the one in control A little gratitude and acknowledge

ment of the hard work of others can go a long way. Letting others take the lead at times build their confidence and sets an important example of humble leadership.ACCOUNTABILITY

I was a really good kid and rarely got into trouble but I knew if I broke the rules or disappointed in some way, it was going to be dealt with. The rules and expectations were clear. In my senior year, my classmates and I were going out for a farewell dinner. My Mum told me she didn’t want me drinking at the event. I went. I didn’t drink and I was not a happy camper. Looking back on it now, it was good advice. Yet if I had had a drink my Mum wouldn’t have known.

Accountability cuts two ways. The first way is that when there are rules and expectations, there have to be consequences if there is a miss. But the second most important element to accountability is that people choose to step up and do the right thing and hold themselves accountable even if it might be easier to let things slide.COMMITMENT

My Mum married the man who was to be my Dad over 63 years ago. I’ve observed the ebb and flow of their marriage. There was more smooth than rough, but as in any marriage, there were some challenges. I never for a moment saw my Mum flinch from that commitment she had made for better or worse. I love watching them together now, as she still laughs at all his old jokes even when she hears them from the umpteenth time.

Team members value the stability of knowing where you stand and that when the going gets tough they can count on you to have their backs, stick with it and work it through. This doesn’t mean that the tough conversations don’t happen. They do. I’m not naïve enough to think all relationships whether business or personal work out but I know I have to work hard and commit to the best possible outcome.ALWAYS BE OPEN TO LEARNING

When Facebook came into its own, my Mum took it on! She realized that through Facebook, even though she was some 5,000 miles away, she could casually stay connected with what the boys and I were up to. She had never owned a computer and had nothing fancier than a flip phone. In her mid-70’s she got her first p.c. and some 5 years later a smart phone. Unafraid to ask for help and lean into the technology, she fast became my number one Facebook “stalker.”

Leaders who have nothing to learn show up totally closed off. When you stop learning you stop growing. No matter how far along you may be in your career, you need to stay open to learning new skills, new ways of doing things, and new technologies. It can open up a whole new world for you.

CELEBRATE

Mum’s always been good at celebrating, but I saw it reach epic proportions when she became a grandmother. Watching her with my boys, I saw her celebrate every little victory and accomplishment even if it wasn’t quite perfect. They knew they had no bigger cheerleader than their Nanny. Her celebrating gave them confidence to always strive even against the biggest challenges. Having her cheer and making her proud was a driver in itself.

We often get so caught up in what lies ahead that we forget to celebrate accomplishments. Demonstrating pride in what others achieve provides recognition and incentive to continue to do well.
So to my Mum and all the mothers out there, Happy Mother’s Day. Perhaps without even knowing it, you teach leadership better than anyone else in the world!

Linda Adams is a Leadership Development expert and co-founder of the Trispective Group. he is the co-author of The Loyalist Team: How Trust, Candor, and Authenticity Create Great Organizations. For more information, or to take a free team snapshot assessment, please visit, www.trispectivegroup.com.

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At the recent Atlanta Baby and Child Expo I had the pleasure to meet with so many amazing folks and get to check out some cool products. One of the most fun groups of people there were the folks from Mumbelli! Initially I was intrigued by their product, then when they showed me how it worked I was sold. They are a generous bunch, so they donated one of their display models to my Postpartum Doula and Infant Care business that I recently opened named Beyond Birth Atlanta.

And…they offered to send one directly to one of my readers for FREE! Isn’t that exciting??? All you have to do is comment below about what feature of the Mumbelli you are most excited about! Then, on Mother’s Day, May 13th at midnight, I will randomly select the winner and notify by comment on your comment…so check back so we can connect!

A little more about this awesome new product:

Mumbelli combines swaddling warmth with a unique cradling design highlighted by our Adjustable Foot Insert. This is key. Have you ever noticed your baby or someone else’s kicking fitfully? They do it because they’re desperately trying to find that snug, enveloping comfort they knew in the womb. Mumbelli’s Adjustable Foot Insert immediately provides this missing sensation of support. Babies immediately begin to relax. They stop crying. You can literally feel the sense of calm wash over them as those sleepy eyes close. And because babies come in all shapes and sizes, our Foot Insert is fully adjustable for a perfect fit every time… and every child if your family is still growing.

Every Mumbelli also comes with a special Wedge Insert designed to incline your baby’s head ever so slightly for a comfortable change of position anytime. It’s gentle angle also promotes easy swallowing and can help reduce the likelihood of infant reflux.

Mumbelli is super lightweight, comes with it’s own protecting carrying bag so it’s portable, and is great from birth until baby begins rolling over. Mumbelli has been designed and perfected to give your baby a loving transition into the world. Every Mumbelli is tested and certified to meet the highest quality and materials standards. The plush cover unzips in seconds and can be tossed directly in the wash for ultra-convenient care.

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Boardroom Salon for Men opened its second location in the Atlanta-area on March 9th. The new location is located at Brighten Park, a shopping center at the intersection of North Druid Hills and Briarcliff Roads, just off I-85 and near Emory University.

Before I set about to offer you or the man (or little guy) in your life the chance to experience the royal treatment at The Boardroom, I decided to take my big little man in for a treat to see for myself. Spoiler alert: he LOVED it!

The salon is luxurious and the customer care superb. Cold beverages (including beer) are offered as part of your service and care and time are taken to greet you and converse about the style you are seeking and what might work best for your hair type. A custom cut, a spa-like wash and condition, and then a unique and flattering style are all a part of the Boardroom experience.

Check out the photos and decide for yourself if this isn’t the coolest option for a modern man’s haircut out there!

Thanks to Boardroom manager TK and her staff for a wonderful afternoon with my son. Be sure you say Amber sent you when you visit.

Comment below before midnight on April 7th and let me know what your vote for my son’s next hair-style should be to enter a giveaway just for my readers. One lucky randomly chosen winner will receive The Benchmark, which includes a haircut plus 15 minutes of relaxing spa services (a value of $60!!!).

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Have you ever wondered if the grass is greener on the other side of the fence?

Do you want to see what you can learn from a family or teach a family that is different than your own?

Do you need to take a break from your family because you feel under appreciated?

Wife Swap is searching for all types of modern families in the greater Atlanta area. Your family does not need to be the “traditional” mother/father nuclear family, they are looking for all types of families.

And GUESS WHAT? There IS COMPENSATION FOR FAMILIES SELECTED FOR THE SHOW and there is a $250 finder’s fee if you refer a family that makes the show! Just make sure the applicants mention your name to the casting directors!

If you and your loved ones are ready to embark on a journey that will ultimately strengthen your own bond as a family, please apply TODAY at wifeswapcasting.com

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Information, inspiration and networking opportunities for moms and families in Atlanta who are searching for the balance of caring for their families while staying true to themselves as women and individuals!